The 10 Biggest Cities in Montana by Population that are Becoming America’s New Boom Corridor

The wide-open landscapes of Montana are famously untamed, but a quiet revolution is unfolding in its urban corridors. It is mainly fueled by remote work migrations and a thriving tech sector; Montana’s biggest cities ballooned by 5–15% since 2020, with Billings alone adding 10,000+ residents. According to the US Census Bureau’s estimates, this growth isn’t slowing; it is accelerating Montana’s shift from a frontier past to a dynamic future.

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List of the Biggest Cities in Montana by Population and Growth

Here is the list of the 10 largest cities in Montana based on the latest US Census data. The data below decodes how these cities blend tradition with innovation to attract entrepreneurs, outdoor enthusiasts, and families alike.  

1. Billings: The largest city of Montana anchors the state's energy sector with refineries and hospitals employing 40% of its workforce. It is also called the Trailhead City for being the gateway to Yellowstone and a healthcare hub serving three states. 

2. Missoula: Home to the University of Montana, Missoula’s primary source of growth lies in tech. The remote workers here boosted its housing market by 32% since 2021. On the other hand, the culture thrives here with 20+ microbreweries and indie bookshops lining the Clark Fork River

3. Great Falls: Great Falls drives its economy through Malmstrom Air Force and the mighty Missouri River. The river also draws kayakers. Whereas the Lewis & Clark is a landmark to draw history buffs.

 4. Bozeman: Unlike the one mentioned above, Montana’s fastest-growing city lures Silicon Valley expats. While Montana State University’s tech programs feed companies like Oracle and Workiva. It balances innovation with world-class skiing at Big Sky. 

5. Butte: Once the richest hill on earth for copper, Butte now pioneers renewable resources.  It is the Berkeley Pit solar farm and Montana Tech University that symbolise a sustainable comeback. 

6. Helena: As Montana’s capital, government jobs dominate, but its 75-mile trail network makes it an outdoor mecca. The "Queen City" saw a 15% tourism jump after viral TikTok hikes.

7. Kalispell: Glacier National Park’s gateway, Kalispell boomed as pandemic-era travelers settled. Logistics firms like FedEx expanded here, capitalizing on its rail and highway nexus.

8. Belgrade: This Bozeman satellite leads Montana in growth (18.3%). Affordable housing and agri-tech startups like BrightFarms turn "flyover country" into a food-security lab.

9. Havre: Near the Canadian border, Havre thrives on rail transport and wheat farming. Though the population dipped slightly, its Amtrak station and Northern Ag Research anchor resilience. 

10. Anaconda: The 585-ft smokestack of its old copper smelter now hosts daredevil rappellers. Heritage tourism fuels its revival, with new lodges opening near Georgetown Lake.

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To sum up, Montana’s biggest cities are rewriting the state’s narrative—one byte, one brewpub, and one solar panel at a time. For newcomers, these cities offer a paradox: all the space of the Old West, with none of the isolation. The frontier, it seems, just got a broadband upgrade.